Orig Japanese Woodblock Print Book MAP OF WORLD c179 (02/15/2011)...

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Orig Japanese Woodblock Print Book MAP OF WORLD c1790

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Orig Japanese Woodblock Print Book MAP OF WORLD c1790

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Sold Date: 02/15/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

Rare & original Japanese woodblock print book, ATLAS & ENCYCLOPEDIA, c1790s. Volume measures 7 3/4 X 10 1/4 inches (closed) and has 710 pages, including a rare early complete double page MAP OF THE WORLD w/ DUTCH TRADING SHIPS & what appears to be a HOT AIR BALLOON. This is the earliest example of a Japanese woodblock of a manned balloon flight I have come across. The first successful manned flight took place in Paris in 1783, not long before this volume was printed, making this a very rare image. A superb double page MAP OF JAPAN from CHOSEN (Korea) to EZO (early undeveloped Hokkaido) with 16 cartouches of foreigners surrounding Japan. This was in reference to the fact that Japan was still isolated and had very little direct contact with the outside world. The foreigners depicted are both real & imagined: DUTCH TRADERS; CHINESE, PEOPLE OF CHOSEN (Korea); LITTLE PEOPLE; GIANTS; PEOPLE w/ LONG ARMS; CANNIBALS etc. These were the "barbarians" of the outside world, all wanting to come to Japan with their strange customs & cultures. This both interested and frightened the Japanese at this time and may be why the woodblocks of the foreigners were placed around the Map of Japan and not the World Map. There are also double page maps of EDO, OSAKA, & KYOTO. There are sections on ARMOR, WEAPONS, etc, with many small woodcuts throughout the volume, including a rare image of a black man approaching a Japanese woman in a bath (see scan #11). Original covers & title slip, contents complete, generally fair to good shape for the age & GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC. NOTE: This volume was too large for my scanner. The pages are UNTRIMMED & have FULL MARGINS. Also, this is a very heavy volume. I will send it in a sturdy box. Shipping is expensive and I will be absorbing part of the cost. Be sure to add me to your favorites list and check out my other items for more interesting things from Japan. Buyer pays ACTUAL SHIPPING COSTS. If you buy more than one item I can combine purchases to save on shipping.